LTB 413/18 reported on the recently published HSE Annual Workplace Fatal Injuries Statics Report 2017/18 which showed an increase in workplace fatalities to a total of 144.

The LTB also reported that a deeper analysis of statistics by the ‘Hazards Campaign’ concluded that a more accurate and inclusive set of figures would show much higher numbers of work related deaths and diseases.

The Hazards Campaign has this month published a report entitled “The Whole Story” setting out the real statistics on work-related injuries, illness and deaths, without omissions of categories not counted accurately or at all. Hazards state that a more accurate picture shows the details as follows in their report “The Whole Story”:-

• 144 Workers Killed – reported to HSE via RIDDOR

• 50 Workers killed at sea and in the air

• 570 Workers killed in road traffic accidents whilst working

• 600 Suicides due to pressure of work

• 100 Members of the public killed by work activities

• 18,000 Work related cancer deaths

• 20,000 Work related heart disease deaths

• 6,000 Work related respiratory illness deaths

• 6,000 Other work related disease deaths

A total of over 51,000

The report details the problems with the current Health and Safety Executive RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) Reporting system:-

• Massive under-reporting. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates that work injuries are 2.6 times higher than reported.

• 29% less accidents are now reported because of the changes to RIDDOR made by the 2010-2015 Tory/Lib.Dem Government.